On May 25, within the framework of the Industry 5.0 conference, a separate club organized by the artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE was held, where the challenges related to the involvement of private capital were opened.

Sven Illing, vice-rector of Tallinn University of Technology, invited companies to cooperate with the artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE. Siim Nellis from Huum OÜ and Mart Suurkask from Bercman Technologies OÜ shared their experiences of involving a private investor. In addition, Jaanus Vahesalu from the Tallinn Entrepreneurship Center introduced their possibilities for business development. Annely Tank from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications spoke about the digital investment measure aimed at entrepreneurs.

If there is a common understanding that the support opportunities for industrial companies lie in bank loans, self-financing or state support measures, there is actually an opportunity for companies to involve private capital as well.

AIRE’s financing consulting service can also be offered, the purpose of which is to help navigate various support measures and to support companies with a so-called vision of the big picture.

After a short summer break, AIRE clubs are back, you are very welcome to contact AIRE people directly to find out faster cooperation points!

We look forward to consulting you to include private capital and/or EU and state subsidies in the development of your company:

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The AIRE Club is a series of events aimed at creating a free and immediate environment for those interested in robotics and artificial intelligence to interact and network. Representatives of research and development institutions, industrial companies, IT and electronics companies, professional associations, support organizations and donors are invited. AIRE’s sixth club event takes place within the Industry 5.0 conference On May 25th starting at 16:15 at TalTech Mektory and will focus on attracting private capital. How to accelerate the development of industrial enterprises by involving additional financing from investors? There is a widespread perception that support opportunities for industrial companies lie in bank loans, self-financing or state support measures. In fact, one option is to include capital as additional investments. At the club event, we will hear various stories of experience and offer advice on involving private capital. Register for the Industry 5.0 conference HERE. The AIRE #6 club event is free to attend and register HERE.   AIRE club #6 Program (16:15-19:00): ■  16:15-16:20 (Arrival) ■  16:20-16:25 Welcome words. Sven Illing, vice-rector of TalTech entrepreneurship and member of the AIRE steering committee, introduces AIRE’s financing consulting service. ■  16:25-16:45 Experience story of involving private capital (Siim Nellis, HUUM OÜ) ■ 16:45-17:05 Experience story of involving private capital (Mart Suurkask, Bercman Technologies AS) ■  17:05-17:10 Jaanus Vahesalu, head of the Tallinn Entrepreneurship Center, introduces “Tallinn’s support measures for entrepreneurs” ■  17:10-17:15 Advisor to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications Annely Tank introduces the industry support measure “Digital revolution in business” ■ 17:15-19:00 Networking. Snacks and drinks. Surprise performer!   Introduction to Industry 5.0 Industry 5.0 adds a human dimension to the automation and digitalization familiar from the Industry 4.0 framework. Industry 5.0 not only helps to do work faster and better with the help of robots, but also focuses on the human ability to recognize the need for change and successfully implement the change. People continue to play a leading role in seeing the big picture and implementing change, and this is what we will focus on this year. The aims of the conference are: to bring together the majority of Estonian industrial companies and promote sustainable management dialogue between the state and stakeholders; to demonstrate the wider impact of the digital, green and innovation revolution in society; show that a critical prerequisite for the triple turn is the quality of leadership and the ability to manage change; introduce the best practices of research and development cooperation both from Estonia and elsewhere. The conference will be attended by managers and production managers of manufacturing companies, university production and industry lecturers, public sector production and industry officials, and IT company production automation and digitization managers and middle managers. The conference is held for the 8th time and every year 400-500 professionals participate. This year, we are expecting about 200 participants on site in the hybrid format, and at least the same number to join remotely. The event is free for invited guests. The conference is organized by AIRE, MKM, TalTech, EAS, ITL and Confent. Stay up to date with developments for the 2022 conference by joining the conference Facebook page.

On April 13, the AIRE #5 club event took place, and this time we met in the Yanu OÜ industrial building on the outskirts of Tartu, where representatives of industrial companies learned about various possibilities for finding financing and implementing artificial intelligence and robotics solutions around a modern robot bar. The AIRE club started with a meaningful panel discussion on “Artificial Intelligence in Industry” moderated by Lauri Antalainen from DigiWise. In the second half of the event, Kirke Maar introduced AIRE’s new financing consulting service. Kersti Kuusksalu spoke about the digitalization journey of companies, and Katrin Kask described the digitalization support for Tartu entrepreneurs. In the panel discussion, best practices and ways to cooperate with universities were shared. Alan Adojaan from Yanu OÜ shared his thoughts on the development of a robot bar and described how a business need paved the way to Tartu University researchers, with whom they started to solve the problem comprehensively. Now there are plans to make the movement of the robot arm smoother and more human-like. Alan mentioned that in the European Union, artificial intelligence can now also be used in radiology. “Consequently, there is trust in this technology,” he stated. Leanest OÜ representative Marko Saviauk, who has implemented more than 20 artificial intelligence projects, highlighted in the conversation that it is good if artificial intelligence can control the quality of a wooden part at least as well as a human. This saves a lot of people’s time. “Using artificial intelligence is easy. The most difficult and time-consuming part is training artificial intelligence,” Marko described one of the biggest sets of problems in the development of artificial intelligence. Oskar Kilk from TORM Metall OÜ explained that the border between robot and automation is blurred. In the case of a production line, we don’t usually see a robot arm, but it is a robot. “Why do we automate? Still to do more with less resources. It pays for itself,” explained Oskar and added that in the case of production it is very important to define what a good result means for the company. “Artificial intelligence doesn’t tell us that,” he stated. The representative of the University of Tartu, Karl Kruusamäe, stated that when talking about the automation of industry, it is very important first of all how to formulate the question to which the answer is sought. The solution to the problem is not necessarily a robot or artificial intelligence, but in the case of an industrial company, the solution usually contains some technological component. According to Karl, data collection is a critical stage in the development of artificial intelligence. Next to the snacks and light grill, the conversation continued even longer, and in the background the ice clinking in the glasses of the Yanu robot bar. In total, more than 49 people participated in the AIRE club event this time. The leader of AIRE is Tallinn University of Technology, the partners are the University of Tartu, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tehnopol science and business campus, Tartu Science Park and the Technology Development Center for Innovative Mechanical Engineering Production Systems (IMECC). The preparation of the center is supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications with nearly half a million euros, and the activities are carried out jointly by Estonian universities and science parks. Cooperation partners are professional associations, clusters, chambers of commerce, banks, telecom companies, developers of robot systems, importers of robots.

At the AIRE #5 club event, Yanu gathered around the robot bar

The AIRE Club is a series of events aimed at creating a free and immediate environment for those interested in robotics and artificial intelligence to interact and network. Representatives of research and development institutions, industrial companies, IT and electronics companies, professional associations, support organizations and donors are invited.

On April 13, starting at 15:00, AIRE’s fifth club event will take place, where we will talk about robots working with the help of artificial intelligence and introduce various ways to find funding to implement artificial intelligence and robotics solutions in industrial companies. The meeting place this time is Tartu, specifically Yanu OÜ, which develops a robot bar.

Program:
■ Panel discussion: Artificial intelligence in industry (Moderator: Lauri Antalainen, DigiWise)
■ AIRE’s future and financial advisory service (Kirke Maar, artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE)
■ The digitalization journey of Estonian companies (Kersti Kuusksalu, Enterprise and Innovation Foundation)
■ Support measure for digitization of production and services for Tartu entrepreneurs (Katrin Kask, Tartu City Council)
■ Yanu OÜ introduction, robot bar demo, networking

Pre-registration is required for participation.

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The artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia) is a candidate for the pan-European EDIH network, which will include 200+ digital innovation centers from the fall of 2022, which will work to increase the competitiveness of industrial companies.

The AIRE Club is a series of events aimed at creating a free and immediate environment for those interested in robotics and artificial intelligence to interact and network. Industrial companies, industry representatives and interested parties are welcome. We invite you to the fourth club event, where Jaan Kraav from Tarmeko Spoon and Tähve Lõpp from Ericsson will talk about their experiences in implementing artificial intelligence. By participating in the event, you can: – an overview offered by the artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE for industrial companies; – tips on why and how to start implementing AI solutions in your company; – network with possible cooperation partners, share experiences of using artificial intelligence and discuss various funding opportunities. Inspiring stories are shared by:: – Tarmeko Spoon, which is a company specializing in the mass production of boxwood veneer, whose production facility is located near Tartu in Southern Estonia. Tarmeko is actively involved in the implementation of new technologies that help to achieve increasingly higher efficiency and better quality. – Ericsson, which is an international network and telecommunications company, whose Estonian unit develops and produces communication network base stations and creates innovative communication and software solutions. 2,100 people work in Estonia, nearly a third of whom are involved in development activities and the rest in production and support services. The AIRE club event is led by our newest members Triin Ploompuu and Otto Mättas. Schedule: 16.15 Opening remarks about the services and near-future possibilities of the artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE 16.20 – 16.35 Jaan Kraav, Tarmeko Spoon 16.35 – 16.50 Tahve Löpp, Ericsson 16.50 – 16.55 Summaries 17.00 – 18.00 Networking and refreshments To participate in the club event, we ask you to register for the Targa Tööstuse conference. AIRE is a candidate for the pan-European EDIH network, which includes 200+ digital innovation centers of the European Union, and will also be a physical meeting place where not only local services and success stories will be introduced, but also the activities of other European centers that could benefit Estonian industrial companies.

Good entrepreneur!

The artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE and the Innovation Leaders Club invite you to the club event “Robotics and artificial intelligence innovation – experience stories and funding sources”.

Representatives of AS Thermory and Fyma OÜ will talk about their company’s experience, and the event will introduce the MKM recovery fund measures and the round of crate pilot projects.

AS Thermory is one of the world’s largest producers of thermal wood and sauna materials. The company’s goal is to contribute to the development of modern urban space by using thermal wood materials that are environmentally friendly and contribute to reducing the ecological footprint. The company offers innovative installation techniques and inspiring design that is durable both indoors and outdoors. Thermory Tartu factory manager Fredi Kaasik talks about all this.

Fyma is an Estonian start-up company developing machine vision artificial intelligence. With the help of the solution created by Fyma, a smart sensor can be obtained from every camera in an urban area and data from every recorded second can be used to make business decisions. The company’s software is based on the collaboration of cameras and machine vision algorithms, which can help everyone from urban planners and commercial real estate developers to transportation and retail managers make better decisions. The company will be represented at the event by the company’s co-founder and technical manager Taavi Tammiste.

AIRE head Kirke Maar, Tehnopoli business development manager Martin Goroško (including grants for crate pilot projects), Andrus Kurvits, head of Tartu Science Park, and Annely Tank, representative of the industry sector of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, will also give presentations, who will talk about the digital investment measure of the recovery fund (RRF) and the measure of changes in business models of manufacturing companies supporting the green revolution.

The event will take place on 26.01.2022 at 11:00-13:30 at Spark Demos in Tartu, Narva mnt 3.

Schedule:

– 10.30-11.00 gathering and registration
– 11.00-11.10 Opening remarks: Mayor of Tartu: Urmas Klaas.
-11.10-11.20 Introduction: Martin Goroško, business development manager of Tehnopol, Andrus Kurvits, manager of Tartu Science Park, and Kirke Maar, manager of AIRE
– 11.20-11.50 Fyma experience story, Taavi Tammiste, co-founder and technical manager of Fyma
– 11.50-12.20 Thermory’s experience story about robotization, Fredi Kaasik, Thermory Tartu plant manager
– 12.20-12.35 MKM recovery fund measures, Annely Tank, MKM industry advisor
– 12.35-12.45 artificial intelligence-based application creation and piloting project, Martin Goroško, business development manager of Tehnopol
– 12.45-13.30 networking and snacks

On the Friday afternoon of the crisp victory, the meeting of AIRE club #2 was held as an outdoor event in the Tehnopol Science and Business Campus, which, despite the weather, passed under heat lamps, glasses of glög in hand, listening to exciting speeches and getting to know the various parties. Sille Kraam, Vice-Chancellor for Economic Development of the Ministry of Economy and Communications, Sven Illing, Vice-Rector of Entrepreneurship of Tallinn University of Technology, Indrek Orav, member of the board of the research and business campus Tehnopol, Kirke Maar AIRE project manager, from Tallinn University of Technology, Andri Haran, from the Ministry of Economy and Communications spoke for two hours. head of industry and member of the AIRE steering committee, Kersti Kuusksalu, project manager of industrial digitization of the EAS innovation department, Martin Goroško, business development manager of Tehnopol, and lastly Siim Viilup, head of Starship Technologies mechanical engineering and robot infrastructure team. The artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia) was created to increase the competitiveness of Estonian industrial companies and brings together industrial companies, solution providers, universities and research parks, who all work dedicatedly for one goal. The AIRE Club is a series of events aimed at creating a free and immediate environment for those interested in robotics and artificial intelligence to interact and network. Representatives of research and development institutions, industrial companies, IT and electronics companies, professional associations, support organizations and donors are invited. As AIRE will join a pan-European network in the future, which will include 200+ digital innovation centers of the European Union next year, the AIRE club will also be a physical meeting place where not only local services and success stories will be introduced, but also the activities of other European centers that could benefit Estonian industrial companies. An excellent example of good cooperation between the public sector, universities and companies In the opening remarks, Sille Kraam, Deputy Chancellor of Economic Development of the Ministry of Economy and Communications, said that AIRE is an excellent example of good cooperation between different parties. “I really hope that AIRE will become a strong competence and development center that will help companies take the next step to improve their technological level,” describes Sille. “A lot of work has already been done. I am glad that so many people have gathered here today. It seems to me that more and more is being understood about the possibilities of data and how it is possible to abuse data and thus not only increase the overall efficiency , but also to make better and higher-quality management decisions based on them. I sincerely believe that digitalization is a prerequisite and a good foundation for a more sustainable construction of the company’s business model.” In his speech, Indrek Orav emphasizes the pleasure with which Tehnopol is taking part in the project: “From Tehnopol’s point of view, we are very proud, because the whole topic of AIRE is very important to us. Our goal is to support innovation and technological entrepreneurship that makes the world better, and we see that through such a project we can support precisely those companies that want to grow and develop. I wish that AIRE does well and that the cooperation goes as smoothly in the future!” The size of the team does not determine the size of the acts At the beginning of his speech, Sven Illing mentions the motto of the University of Technology Mente et Manu, which translated into Estonian means “With Mind and Hand”. “When I walked in here, I thought it’s a perfect fit for what AIRE is about – we’re helping businesses be more competitive with artificial intelligence and a robotic arm.” In his presentation at AIRE’s first club in Tartu, Sven cited Google as one example, where teams of three have made world-changing solutions. “Now, looking at the Starship robot at this event, I can confirm that it is also a real example of how here in Estonia we can accomplish great things with a relatively small number of people,” he admits and adds inflammatoryly: “We will continue to do awesome things in Estonia and remember, that these things happen when we know each other and rely on each other.” Long-awaited grants In his presentation, Andri Haran, head of the industry sector of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, spoke about new digital investment support measures with a total amount of 58 million euros that will open in the first quarter of 2022. The main purpose of the measures is to support the automation of companies and the adoption of digital solutions. “The feedback from the industry has been that there are a lot of so-called soft measures, but a concrete opportunity to apply for money with which to implement your investments – at least on this scale, the industry has not had for a long time, and we are working on it.” The main target group of the support is companies in the processing industry, mining industry and logistics, which will be allowed to apply for support of up to 300,000 euros per project during the period 2022-2025. Andri noted four more points as supported activities: Purchase, development and implementation of intangible and tangible fixed assets, digital technologies, robots necessary for automation in the applicant’s supply chain (including the development of licenses and implementation and costs of patents); Organizing the necessary training for the development and implementation of technologies, robots and automation for its employees; Consulting service for the purchase, development and implementation of digital technologies, robots and automation; Remuneration of the employee(s) involved in the development and implementation of technologies, robots and automation and the person(s) working on the basis of the debt law agreement. Kersti Kuusksalu, project manager of the EAS innovation department’s industry digitization, also shared information about other possible grants. “Since every company has its own values ​​and characteristics – their needs are also different,” he described. EAS offers solutions and subsidies based on the individual needs of the entrepreneur. In addition to financial support, the Digitization master class has recently been added to EAS services. This service includes guidance with advice and information on how to carry out digitization. For three months, the company will receive personal guidance, during which trainings will also take place. A new group starts at the beginning of February, and you can apply until the beginning of January. Also, Tööstushäkk is taking place at EAS, which means a two-and-a-half-day event in the form of a hackathon, where entrepreneurs can create their own tailor-made solutions. Registration for this hack is currently open and the hackathon itself will take place in March. A program supporting artificial intelligence-based projects is expected Martin Goroško, business development manager of Tehnopol, introduced the framework program planned in cooperation with MKM and AIRE. The purpose of the yet-to-be-announced program is to start building artificial intelligence-based projects, where on the one hand challenges are identified that are data- and industry-based, and on the other hand, parties are brought together with solution providers, which also supports the implementation of pilot projects and their application to industry. During the break in between, the clubbers could go on another round of snacks and fill up glasses of glög, and then calmly get to know each other. However, there was no time to tell all the stories, because before the end of the evening, another speaker came, who was Siim Viilup from Starship Technologies. Siim Viilup, head of Starship’s mechanical engineering and robot infrastructure team, concluded the AIRE club #2 event with his presentation. In his presentation, Siim introduced the history of Starship, major and minor challenges in reaching the present moment, as well as other exciting things that remained in between. The round of questions that opened up after the presentation seemed endless at times – among other things, the questions “What did the robot look like at the beginning”, “Could it happen that the robot has no distribution? What will happen?” were answered. as well as “Was a robot thanking me for helping me out of the snow or was it a real person?” For the record, this was a real person. Check out the presentations of the event HERE The artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia) was created to increase the competitiveness of Estonian industrial companies and brings together industrial companies, solution providers, universities and research parks, who all work dedicatedly for one goal.

AIRE Club #2 Focus is Funding!

We invite industrial companies and developers who are interested in finding additional funds for industrial digitalization projects to the AIRE club. We announce the AIRE small project round for artificial intelligence solutions, get to know the soul of Starship’s parcel robots, and Andri Haran, representative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, introduces the industry-oriented investment measure that will open in the new year!

The AIRE Club is a series of events aimed at creating a free and immediate environment for those interested in robotics and artificial intelligence to interact and network. Representatives of research and development institutions, industrial companies, IT and electronics companies, professional associations, support organizations and donors are invited.

As AIRE will join a pan-European network in the future, which will include 200+ digital innovation centers of the European Union next year, the AIRE club will also be a physical meeting place where not only local services and success stories will be introduced, but also the activities of other European centers that could benefit Estonian industrial companies. This time, Starship’s package robots are the special guests.

Starship Technologies is an international technology company that develops and manufactures small self-propelled robots, primarily intended for courier services. The company’s head office is located in London, Great Britain, but development work is carried out in Tallinn’s research and business campus Tehnopol. By April 2021, the company delivered 1.5 million packages.

On December 10, from 15:00 to 17:00, the second meeting of the AIRE club will take place, this time as a Christmas-themed and entertaining outdoor event on the central square of Tehnopol Science and Business Campus at Teadusparki 6/1.

Pre-registration is required for participation.

According to the order of the Government of the Republic, only people who have been vaccinated or who have suffered from the disease can participate in events on the basis of a COVID-19 certificate. You cannot enter the event with a test result.

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The artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia) was created to increase the competitiveness of Estonian industrial companies and brings together industrial companies, solution providers, universities and research parks, who all work dedicatedly for one goal.

The AIRE Club is a series of events aimed at creating a free and immediate environment for those interested in robotics and artificial intelligence to interact and network. Representatives of research and development institutions, industrial companies, IT and electronics companies, professional associations, support organizations and donors are invited.

As AIRE will join a pan-European network in the future, which will include 200+ digital innovation centers of the European Union next year, the AIRE club will also be a physical meeting place where not only local services and success stories will be introduced, but also the activities of other European centers that could benefit Estonian industrial companies.

On November 3, starting at 18:00, the opening event of the AIRE club will take place, where we will introduce the services and future plans of the artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE and get to know each other. The meeting place is the Delta Center of the University of Tartu.

Pre-registration is required for participation.

According to the order of the Government of the Republic, only people who have been vaccinated or who have suffered from the disease can participate in events on the basis of a COVID-19 certificate. You cannot enter the event with a test result.

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The artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia) was created to increase the competitiveness of Estonian industrial companies and brings together industrial companies, solution providers, universities and research parks, who all work dedicatedly for one goal.